ES2887286T3 - Multi-functional multi-person bench for fitness exercises - Google Patents

Abstract

A bench (1) for outdoor use and suitable for seating at least two people and suitable for performing physical conditioning exercises, said bench comprises a seat (11) to seat at least two people and a backrest (12) to support the back of at least two people, wherein said bench comprises - at least four support brackets (31, 32, 33, 34) connecting said seat (11) with said backrest (12) and where for each of said support brackets a first leg (3) connects with said seat (11) and a first side (4a) with a second leg (4) connects with said backrest (12), and said second leg (4) has a second side (4b) opposite to said first side (4a), - at least four floor support structures (21, 22, 23, 24) to anchor the bench to the ground surface, Y in where a Serie of a first (twenty-one), a second (22), a third (23) and a fourth (24) floor support structure are connected to a first (31), a second (32), a third (33) and a fourth (34) support bracket, respectively, characterized in that said bench further comprises - a first suspension cord (51) connected to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said first support bracket (31) and a second suspension cord (52) connected to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said second support bracket (32), and - a first armrest (41) and a second armrest (42) for performing physical conditioning exercises comprising, respectively, a first vertical-type handle (41a) and a second vertical-type handle (42a), and wherein said first armrest (41) connects to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said third support bracket (33) and wherein said second armrest (42) connects to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said fourth support bracket (34).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Multi-functional multi-person bench for fitness exercises

field of invention

The present invention relates to a bench for outdoor use. More specifically, it refers to a bench suitable for both sitting and fitness exercises.

Background

There are numerous hiking trails around the world where benches are placed along the trails. Much of these trails are part of a network of routes. These paths come in various lengths and levels of difficulty and are primarily used for walking. The benches along these routes are generally used for sitting and resting and provide a gathering function.

Walkways also exist at a variety of different levels. They are usually found in secluded locations further away from built-up areas.

In addition to the walking and running trails, there are also circuit training trails. Circuit training is the combination of resistance training with strength and stabilization training where you walk from one fitness element to the next. A variety of fitness devices can be found along these circuit training trails, often with different functions. These paths are usually found in other locations, usually more remote. These roads have quite a large impact on government budgets because they are expensive to build and require a lot of maintenance.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity in the European Union causes one million deaths annually. In fact, statistics show that six out of ten people over the age of fifteen rarely or never play sports. WHO research shows that lack of time is the main reason people don't exercise. Other crucial influencing factors are the lack of adequate infrastructure near the place of residence and the time it takes to travel to the infrastructure.

Benches of many different shapes serve as an accessible outdoor resting or meeting place and are usually developed in an aesthetically sound manner and permanently located in public space. Some benches allow the user to perform a specific stretching exercise with the help of a particular part, while others combine the functionality of the seat with a function to train the legs in a certain way as described in the patent document KR20120120555. These benches offer the opportunity to rest and facilitate psychological and physical recovery, while combining that with the ability to perform a specific exercise with the legs. Hence, this type of bench has its limitations when it comes to performing physical conditioning exercises.

Urban devices are known that serve to perform certain exercises, such as a fixed bar device, a ring game device to exercise arms, pedal devices for leg exercises. However, these devices are each used to perform a certain type of exercise, so it is necessary to have several different exercise devices in one place to train the whole body.

An example of a physical exercise is a leg raising exercise that can be performed with a dedicated fitness device, such as the fitness device described in US2008/227609A1. Another example of a physical conditioning exercise is conditioning the muscles of the arms and/or legs using suspension ropes. An example of a pair of suspension cords is described in US2003/0078142A1.

Larger scale fitness systems for outdoor use are known and exist in many different forms. These systems typically make use of several separate fitness devices that each allow you to perform a different exercise.

Thus, a fitness system could consist of one outdoor fitness device that helps train the upper body and another outdoor fitness device that enables lower body training. An outdoor fitness device is usually a combination of a specific base frame and a functional fitness item. The base structure is designed to support the specific functional fitness element. Generally, outdoor fitness systems have multiple fitness devices comprising several different types of base structures and fitness elements. The result is that a large number of different base structures must be designed and developed. This increases the cost of outdoor fitness systems and leads to complex storage areas for multiple devices, especially for the companies that produce and sell the systems.

Additionally, installing today's multi-device outdoor systems for total body training requires clearing more public and green space. In most cases, outdoor fitness devices each have a different type of base structure, giving a visual impression of an exercise park when all these fitness devices are placed together in one place. . An inactive person sometimes faces minimal fears when bypassing these outdoor fitness systems, which is unfortunate as these devices have been developed primarily to move and get people into action. Furthermore, many fitness systems whose outdoor fitness devices offer a variety of body movements are not suitable for both low-level users and users who are already trained. In other words, the use of certain parts and the specific weight, length or shape of these fitness devices or elements of fitness devices make a certain outdoor fitness equipment challenging for people. trained, but impossible to use for others, such as untrained people. Other fitness devices may work for untrained people, but in that case they are not suitable or challenging enough for more trained people.

Some fitness systems, as described in patent document DE202006001435, combine various outdoor fitness equipment in a multifunctional exercise structure. However, this structure is only useful for people who exercise and is not, as mentioned above, a bench for the young and old to sit on and rest.

US 5553551 A discloses a modular bench system usable as a display or work counter, comprising a plurality of vertical bench units, each comprising a pair of opposite rectangular end sections, each consisting of a pair of vertical legs joined together in parallel spaced relationships by parallel upper and lower horizontal cross pieces and lower cross pieces, opposite end sections being joined by flat rectangular members extending between said respective cross pieces; two opposite sides of each of said flat members each form a slot that engages one of said cross pieces; each of said bench units having at least one end section which it shares in common with an adjacent unit when assembled into said system and each of said units having a vertical rectangular layer stiffening means attached between opposing legs at their end sections. extreme.

Compendium

An object of the present invention is to provide an urban device that facilitates all the functions mentioned above at the same time, ie sitting, resting, meeting and moving. More specifically, an object is to combine various fitness elements in one device so that a full range of body exercises is available and suitable for both experienced and inexperienced users and, at the same time and independently of them, that the device serves as a durable seat installation.

An additional goal is to provide a compact and cost-effective urban device that will upgrade ubiquitous routes to challenging routes for circuit training, thereby expanding existing sports infrastructures and providing access to the public to implement WHO recommended directives. These guidelines recommend a combination of resistance, strength, and stabilization training.

The present invention is defined in the attached independent claim. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, there is provided a bench for outdoor use and suitable for seating at least two people and suitable for physical conditioning.

An exercise and sitting bench should be construed as a device that comprises a collection of fitness elements that offer various fitness activities, and therefore the bench should be construed as a comprehensive fitness device that provides or allows for some form of fitness training activity while maintaining a complete seating facility. Physical conditioning activities are, for example, strength training, stability, balance, explosiveness, endurance.

The bench according to the invention comprises a seat and a backrest which are connected to at least four support bracket brackets. The seat allows at least two people to sit. At least four floor support brackets are provided to anchor the bench to the floor surface. A series of first, second, third and fourth floor support structures are connected to first, second, third and fourth support brackets respectively.

Each of the support brackets comprises a first leg and a second leg. For each of the support brackets, the first leg connects to the seat. The second leg has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the second leg should be interpreted as the side that connects to the back of the bench. In fact, for each of the support brackets, the first side of the second leg connects with the backrest. In this way, the seat and backrest are connected to each other. The first and second sides of the second leg may also be respectively referred to as the front and rear side of the second leg.

The bench according to the invention comprises a first suspension rope and a second suspension rope. The first hanger cord and the second hanger cord are respectively connected to the second side of the second leg of the first support bracket and to the second side of the second leg of the second support bracket.

Preferably, the first and second suspension ropes each comprise drop-shaped hand openings and/or drop-shaped foot openings.

The bench according to the invention further comprises a first armrest and a second armrest for performing physical conditioning exercises. The first armrest and the second armrest are respectively connected to the second side of the second leg of said third support bracket and to the second side of the second leg of said fourth support bracket. The first and second armrests respectively comprise a first vertical-type handle and a second vertical-type handle.

Advantageously, the bench according to the invention uses the support brackets that connect the seat and the backrest, as a base element to create physical conditioning devices. In fact, additional elements connect to the support brackets to form a multifunctional fitness device. In this way, the number of components needed to build the bench with fitness functionalities is reduced and a compact bench with fitness devices is obtained. Therefore, the production cost is also reduced. The cost is much cheaper compared to, for example, manufacturing different separate fitness devices to perform all these separate functions offered by the bench according to the invention.

Due to the reduced number of elements, the manufacturing process and the assembly process are also simplified. In fact, the support brackets and floor support structure can be factory welded together and also fitness elements such as the first and second armrests can be factory welded to their corresponding support bracket.

Advantageously, the bench according to the invention has no mechanically moving parts that could cause safety problems. Furthermore, due to the connection of the suspension ropes to the first and second support brackets and the connection of the first and second armrests to the third and fourth support brackets, a space is created between the second and third support brackets which It greatly reduces interference problems between two people exercising on these two fitness devices on the back side of the bench. Furthermore, the seat is located on a front side of the bench, and the suspension robes and the first and second armrests are arranged on the back side of the bench, that is, opposite to the front side. Therefore, there is no disturbance or dangerous situation for people sitting on the bench and people exercising on the back side of the bench.

It is an advantage that due to the compactness of the bench, the footprint of the bench is small, and therefore the public and green space is reduced compared to installing different fitness devices to perform all these functions separately.

With its compact size, the bench can be placed in an urban environment that would attract people and reduce a barrier for those people who would need to exercise but are currently failing for various reasons. The ability to sit gives the device a much more accessible character for people who are not in the habit of moving around a lot, thus creating a more accessible public space that brings together different people in one place.

Advantageously, by placing a seat for several people directly adjacent to the physical conditioning devices, the bench according to the invention has the possibility of establishing the connection between the part of the population that walks on one side and the part of the sporting population. for the other.

Furthermore, the provision of a multifunctional training device combined with a seating functionality also has an added aesthetic value for the surrounding public space. In fact, the aesthetic aspects of urban elements or devices are important because they must be properly integrated into the public space. It seems necessary to provide an aesthetically pleasing setting, as for example people walking near a playground are watching their children and, although they did not intend to move, they may be convinced to become more active if the fitness elements also have attractive aesthetics and appearance.

In embodiments, the hanger cords each comprise a soft cover to protect a large portion of each of the hanger cords. Therefore, the bench according to the invention comprises easy-to-use suspension ropes suitable for permanent outdoor use in an environment that is not only used for fitness purposes, but also used for sitting and resting and where the suspension ropes are organized in such a way that there is no security, vandalism or sustainability problems could arise.

In embodiments, the bench advantageously comprises a step and a balance board which, to some extent, combines the functionalities of a step and a balance board. Therefore, this table offers several elements of fitness at the same time and makes it possible in an environment that is not only used for fitness purposes, but also used for sitting and resting.

An advantage of the bench according to the invention is that a wide range of fitness difficulty levels can be exercised. The difficulty of the various basic strength and stability exercises that can be performed with the bench according to the invention is determined by the user's own body characteristics and does not depend on the specific characteristics of the physical conditioning elements used as such, as is the case of classic fitness devices. The basic strength and stability exercises that can be performed on the bench are push and pull exercises, abdominal and back muscle exercises, and single-leg and double-leg exercises.

In embodiments, the bench according to the invention comprises a reinforcing plank that extends parallel to the backrest and is connected to each of the support brackets of the bench, more precisely, the reinforcing plank is connected to the second leg of each of the support brackets. Since the brace board is separate from the upper side of the backrest, the board allows for various additional fitness exercises such as pressing exercises and various body stability exercises.

In embodiments, the bench according to the invention comprises at least six support brackets where a bar is connected between the ends of the second legs of the additional fifth and sixth support brackets. Advantageously, by connecting the bar to the fifth and sixth support brackets, a space is created between the fourth and fifth support brackets so that one person can exercise with the bar simultaneously while another person uses the first and second armrests without any risk of injury. interference or collision.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1a shows a front side of an example of a bench comprising four support brackets, Figure 1b shows a front side of another example of a bench comprising four support brackets, Figure 1c shows a front side of the bench comprising comprises six support brackets,

Figure 2 shows a rear side of an example of a bench comprising six support brackets, Figure 3 shows a side view of a bench comprising six support brackets,

Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a first example of a support bracket,

Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the first example of a support bracket with a corresponding floor support structure,

Figure 4c shows a cross-sectional view of the floor support structure and part of the support bracket of Figure 4b,

Figure 5a shows a perspective view of a second example of a support bracket,

Figure 5b shows a perspective view of the second example of a support bracket with a corresponding floor support structure,

Figure 5c shows a cross-sectional view of the floor support structure and part of the support bracket of Figure 5b,

Figure 6a shows a perspective view of a third example of a support bracket,

Figure 6b shows a perspective view of the third example of a support bracket with a corresponding floor support structure and with an armrest,

Figure 6c shows a cross-sectional view of the floor support structure and part of the support bracket of Figure 6b,

Figure 7a shows a perspective view of a fourth example of a support bracket,

Figure 7b shows a perspective view of the fourth example of a support bracket with a corresponding floor support structure,

Figure 7c shows a cross-sectional view of the floor support structure and part of the support bracket of Figure 7b,

Figure 8 shows an example of a part of a foot and balance board,

Figure 9 shows an example of a suspension rope.

Figure 10a shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a support bracket,

Figure 10b shows a cross-sectional view of another example of a support bracket,

Figure 10c shows a cross-sectional view of another example of a support bracket,

Figure 11a shows a floor support structure connected to the support bracket of Figure 10a,

Figure 11b shows a floor support structure connected to the support bracket of Figure 10b,

Figure 11c shows a floor support structure connected to the support bracket of Figure 10c,

The figures are not drawn to scale.

Detailed description of achievements

The invention refers to a bench that combines a sitting, resting and meeting function with a function as an element for performing various physical conditioning exercises, especially designed to be placed in public areas such as a park, a playground, a park business, a sports facility, a school domain or along a route. In fact, public spaces today are meant to give the public the opportunity to relax, meet and move. Outdoor use and multiple use of such a bench necessitates that some known fitness elements must be adapted to the environment in which they will be used.

The bench according to the invention comprises a series of support brackets and a series of associated floor support structures. These support brackets and the associated floor support structures are made, for example, of steel. The bench further comprises a seat for at least two people to sit on and a backrest that is associated with the seat, thus providing a support function for the backs of the at least two people. The seat and back of the bench can be made, for example, of wood or any other material suitable for outdoor use. In the embodiments, the support brackets, the floor support structures, and the seat and back can also be coated with a waterproof coating.

Depending on the details of the embodiments according to the invention, there may be a different number of support brackets and the support brackets may have different shapes and lengths.

Examples of support brackets are shown in Figure 4a, Figure 5a, Figure 6a, Figure 7a, Figure 10a, Figure 10b and Figure 10c. More generally, the components of the bank may have dimensions that differ depending on the target group that is brought to the fore. For example, a bench specifically developed for children will therefore have different dimensions than a bench exclusively for use by adults.

The support brackets serve as the base for the seating area of the bench and for the backrest. In fact, the seat and the backrest connect with the support brackets, thus joining the seat to the backrest. Therefore, the support bracket must be constructed as a frame comprising at least a first leg 3 connected to the seat and a second leg 4 connected to the backrest. Cross-sectional views of examples of the support brackets 30 comprising a first leg 3 and a second leg 4 are schematically shown in Figure 10a, Figure 10b and Figure 10c.

The support bracket can be L-shaped, T-shaped or any other shape as long as there is a first leg 3 to connect with the seat and a second leg 4 to connect with the backrest. The first leg 3 and the second leg 4 can be made in one piece, for example by a molding process, or the two legs can be separate parts that are, for example, welded together. In other embodiments, the first leg and the second leg of the support bracket are made in one piece by bending a metal plate. The second leg can be made in one piece or it can be made from several pieces joined together. Detailed embodiments of support brackets that can be used for the invention will be discussed further below and are illustrated in Figure 4a, Figure 5a, Figure 6a and Figure 7a. The connection of the seat and backrest to the support brackets can be made using, for example, bolts and nuts.

As schematically illustrated in Figures 10a, 10b, 10c, 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a, the second leg 4 of the support bracket has a first side 4a, also called the front side, and a second side 4b, also called the rear side. rear, and wherein the rear side 4b is opposite the front side 4a. The first side 4b of the second leg 4 is the side that connects with the backrest 12. Since the backrest 12 generally has a flat surface, the front side 4b of the second leg preferably also has a flat surface. The second side 4b, ie the rear side of the second leg is not necessarily flat but can have any kind of shape.

In Figure 11a, Figure 11b, and Figure 11c, the support brackets 30 of Figure 10a, Figure 10b, and Figure 10c, respectively, are shown together with a backrest 12 and seat 11. In Figure 11a, seat 11 is shown. It is made up of four boards arranged in parallel and the backrest is made up of three boards arranged in parallel. In the example shown in Figure 11b, the backup is made up of five tables. The number of boards determines the size of the backrest surface and can be determined based on the comfort required and the target group. In the example shown in Figure 11c, the seat 11 and back 12 are each made from a single plate.

In each of Figures 11a, 11b, and 11c, a floor support structure 20 is shown which connects with the support bracket 30. The floor support structures are provided to anchor the bench to a floor surface. The anchoring can be done on an underlying fixed surface or on a removable surface that has sufficient stability. The floor support structures may be, for example, U-shaped, as shown in Figure 11b, or any other suitable shape. In embodiments, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 6b and Figure 6c, a U-shaped floor support structure 23 is provided comprising two triangular-shaped reinforcing ribs 23a and 23b. Advantageously, a logo can be placed on the triangular ribs. The ground support structures shown in Figures 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b are illustrated as shaded areas.

The bench according to the invention comprises at least four support brackets 31,32,33,34 with four associated floor support structures 21,22,23,24. Examples of benches with four support brackets, showing a front side of the benches. In Figure 1c, a front side of a bench is shown comprising six support brackets.

The front side of the bench according to the invention is to be interpreted as the side where the seat is located and therefore the side where people can sit on the bench. The rear side of the bench should be interpreted as the opposite side to the front side of the bench, it is the side where, as will be explained below, only fitness exercises can be performed and no seating functionality is provided. In Figure 2 an example of the rear side of a bench according to the invention is shown.

As illustrated in Figure 1a and Figure 1b, there is a series of a first 31, a second 32, a third 33 and a fourth 34 support bracket respectively connecting with a first 21, a second 22, a third 23 and a fourth 24 floor support structure. The connections between the floor support structures and the support brackets can be made with bolts and nuts or preferably they can be welded together.

As further illustrated in Figure 1a and Figure 1b, a first suspension cord 51 and a second suspension cord 52 are respectively connected to the second side 4b of the second leg 4 of the first support 31 and to the second side 4b of the second leg 4 of the second support 32. In preferred embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1a and Figure 3, the first suspension rope 51 comprises a first drop-shaped hand opening 58a and/or a first drop-shaped foot opening 58a. 58b and the second suspension rope 52 comprises a second drop-shaped hand opening 59a and/or a second drop-shaped foot opening 59b. The suspension ropes are composed of, for example, reinforced rope and each is preferably protected with a first soft cover 56 and a second soft cover respectively. The connection of the suspension cords to the second side 4b, ie the rear side, of the second leg of the support brackets can be done in various ways known in the art. For example, an opening 17 can be made through one end of the second leg of the support bracket to allow the suspension rope to be attached, as illustrated in Figure 4b.

The use of suspension ropes is well known in the art and is popular because it allows for a wide range of fitness exercises. There are adjustable suspension ropes on the market that can be attached to a wide variety of fixed infrastructure, so they can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, permanent outdoor use of these prior art suspension ropes is not advisable, as they are not weather resistant or vandal resistant. In addition, these folding ropes can also cause safety problems, in fact there is a danger of hanging. For this reason, suspension ropes for permanent outdoor use should preferably be made deployable for safety reasons and should preferably not be adjustable in length. As mentioned above, the suspension ropes according to the invention preferably have openings for both the hands and the feet that allow them to be used by people with different body characteristics or to perform exercises of different levels of difficulty. Also, since known suspension ropes for outdoor use have hard elements, care must be taken to avoid any safety problem.

In Figure 9, an embodiment of an exemplary suspension rope 51 according to the invention is shown. The suspension rope comprises, for example, an eyebolt 53 and an open thimble 54 for making a connection with the rear side 4b of the second leg of the support bracket. Four aluminum clamping rings 55 are mounted on the rope. In this way, as illustrated in Figure 9, at least two drop-shaped openings 58a, 58b are created, corresponding to the openings for the hands and feet. . Each of the holding rings 55 is wrapped with a heat-sensitive shrink sleeve to prevent accidents due to strong impact. A long rubber sleeve 56 that sits around the ropes between the 2 upper clamping rings prevents the ropes from knotting and also prevents safety concerns related to the risk of being hung up. The long rubber boot 56 forms a soft covering 56 that protects the suspension rope. In each drop-shaped opening, the strings they are provided with a shorter rubber sleeve 57 so as to ensure a comfortable handle and comfortable use of the foot, as well as to avoid scraping or sanding the skin. The drop-shaped openings 58a, 58b have a minimum diameter of 24 cm to avoid any danger of hanging. Furthermore, the openings are located at such a distance from the underlying surface that this hazard is essentially non-existent.

As illustrated in Figure 1a and Figure 1b, the bench according to the invention comprises a first armrest 41 and a second armrest 42 for performing fitness exercises on the rear side of the bench. In fact, as further illustrated in Figure 6b, the first armrest 41 and the second armrest 42 are connected to the second side 4b, that is, the rear side, of the second leg 4 of the third support 33 and the fourth support 34 respectively. This connection between the armrests and their respective support bracket can be made, for example, by means of bolts and nuts or the armrests can be welded to the support brackets.

The first and second armrests further comprise, respectively, a first vertical-type handle 41a and a second vertical-type handle 42a, as shown in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 6b. A handhold of the vertical type should be interpreted as a handhold that, when in use, is oriented vertically with respect to the ground surface, thus being a handhold that is oriented essentially vertical with respect to a seat plane of the bench seat. .

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 1b, a bench is provided that allows at least two people to sit on the bench seat which is located on the front side of the bench and other people can simultaneously use at least two fitness devices in the back side of the bench. In fact, with the first and second armrests a first device can be used to perform, for example, leg raising exercises and a second device with the suspension ropes to perform suspension exercises. Note that, advantageously, the space created between the second and third support brackets prevents interference problems between people exercising simultaneously on the first and second fitness devices.

The bench seat could also be used as an elevated step to perform step exercises and thus could be considered as an additional fitness device.

As mentioned above, the dimensions of the bench and the dimensions of the support brackets may differ.

In Figures 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a, a perspective view of various types of support brackets 31,32, 33, 35 is shown and in Figures 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b support structures are shown with support structures. associated floor support 21,22, 23, 25. Figures 4c, 5c, 6c and 7c show a cross-sectional view of the floor support structure and part of the support bracket shown respectively in Figures 4b , 5b, 6b and 7b. As mentioned above, each of the support brackets comprises a first leg 3 for connecting the seat and a second leg 4 for connecting the back of the bench. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 4b, 5b, 6b and 7b, the first leg connects to the floor support structure. In these embodiments, the first legs of the support brackets are designed to extend to the ground floor for better attachment to the floor support structures.

The length D1 of the first leg 3 is determined by the width of the seat, while the length D2 of the second leg is determined by the type of fitness element that is provided. The dimension of the first leg 3 of the support bracket is indicated as D1 in Figure 4c, Figure 5c, Figure 6a, Figure 7c and Figure 10a and the dimension of the second leg 4 is indicated as D2 in Figure 4a, Figure 5a, Figure 6a, Figure 7a, Figure 10a, Figure 10b and Figure 10c. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1a, the second legs of the first 31 and second 32 support brackets are made longer compared to the dimensions D2 of the second legs of the second 32 and third 33 support brackets. . In this way, adults can use the suspension ropes. In other embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1b, the dimensions D2 of the second legs of the support brackets are the same, so that the hanger cords connect to the support bracket at a lower height from the mounting surface. floor, which makes it easier to use shorter type suspension ropes for children.

The person skilled in the art will determine the appropriate dimensions of the support brackets and therefore the length of the first and second legs depending on the needs and target groups of people who will use the bench. For example, one skilled in the art will determine the dimensions of the second legs of the third and fourth support brackets so that the first and second armrests are at a suitable height for performing fitness exercises.

In embodiments, the second leg dimension D2 of the first 31 and second 32 support brackets is configured according to a length of the first and second suspension chords and the second leg dimension D2 of the second 32 and third brackets support 33 is configured to allow fitness training with the first armrest 41 and the second armrest 42 by a target group of people. The target group of people is, for example, a group of adults or a group of children.

By adding more support brackets and associated floor support structures, the bench according to the invention becomes you can expand by providing more seating and providing more fitness capabilities.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a bench is provided with at least six support brackets and six associated floor support structures. In these embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1c and Figure 2, the seat and said backrest are connected with a fifth 35 and sixth 36 support bracket and the fifth 35 and sixth 36 support bracket are respectively connected with a fifth 25 and sixth 26 floor support structure. The fifth support bracket 35 and the fifth floor support structure 25 are positioned adjacent to the fourth support bracket 34 and the fourth floor support structure 24, respectively.

In embodiments comprising at least six support brackets, the bench comprises a bar 60 suitable for performing pulling fitness exercises. This is illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3 where a side view of an example of a bench with six support brackets is shown.

The bar 60 is connected between the end 5 of the second leg 4 of the fifth support bracket 35 and the end of the second leg 4 of the sixth support bracket 36 . As shown in Figure 7b, the ends 5 of these support brackets can be, for example, L-shaped or the ends can be made horizontal with respect to the ground surface. The bar 60 is sized to allow various fitness exercises to be performed comfortably. Preferably, and as illustrated in Figure 7b, the fifth 35 and sixth 36 support brackets each comprise a strengthening rib 9 for strengthening the support brackets. In these embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 7b, the strengthening rib 9 forms the rear side of the second leg 4 of the support bracket to strengthen the vertical rear of the support brackets and also strengthen their respective support structures. of ground.

In embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 4b, the first 31 and second 32 support brackets each comprise a strengthening rib 9 for strengthening the support brackets.

In embodiments, the first armrest 41 and the second armrest 42 each comprise a support rib 41b for reinforcing the armrests. In Figure 6b, an armrest 41 is shown connected to a support bracket. In this embodiment, the armrest comprises various components such as the vertical-type handle 41a, the support rib 41b, and an armrest center member 41c. In these embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 6b, the third 33 and fourth 34 support brackets each preferably comprise a strengthening rib 9 and the support ribs of the support arms connect to the corresponding strengthening ribs of the legs. second legs of the support brackets. This connection is made, for example, by bolting or by welding. In Figure 6a, a support bracket 33 is shown comprising several components such as the first leg 3 and the second leg 4. In this embodiment, the second leg comprises a strengthening rib 9 and a leg element 8 as illustrated in Figure 6b. In this embodiment, the strengthening rib 9 and the leg element 8 form the second leg 4 of the support bracket 33.

Generally, the first 41 and second 42 armrests respectively comprise a first and a second plank forming an upper side of the support arms 41,42. These horizontal planks allow for a comfortable grip and also provide support for various fitness exercises. These planks are made, for example, of wood.

In embodiments, as mentioned above and illustrated in Figure 4a and Figure 5a, the second legs 4 of the first 31 and second 32 support brackets each comprise a strengthening rib 9. In some embodiments, the first suspension cord 51 and the second suspension cord 52 are attached to these strengthening ribs. In these embodiments illustrated in Figure 4b and Figure 5b, the second leg 4 of the support bracket 31 is formed by a leg element 8 and the strengthening rib 9. In these embodiments, the leg element 8 and the first leg 3 of the support bracket is made in one piece, e.g. eg of a metal plate that is bent. In other embodiments, the leg element 8 and the first leg 3 of the support bracket can be made of different parts that are welded together.

In Figure 7a, a support bracket 35 is shown comprising various components such as a first leg 3, a second leg 4 and an arm extension member 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7b, the second leg 4 comprises a strengthening rib 9 and a leg element 8.

In embodiments, a pair of adjacent support brackets have arm extension members 2 configured to form armrests 71,72 to facilitate sitting on the bench seat. In the example shown in Figure 1c, this pair of adjacent support brackets comprising the armrests correspond to the fifth 35 and sixth 36 support brackets. The armrests also comprise handles of the vertical type 73, 74. Generally, above the armrest, a board, for example of wood, is provided. The vertical type handles and/or the board allow a comfortable grip and support during the exercises. It also makes it easier to sit down or stand up. As illustrated in Figure 7a and Figure 7b, the support brackets with the arm extension elements 2 form, for example, D-shaped armrests.

In embodiments, the bench may also be provided with a step. In fact, the existence of step benches is particularly well known in fitness settings. These independent elements known in the art usually consist of a horizontal platform with various other elements that serve as feet and height adjusters. These step benches provide users with the necessary stability and allow them to perform multiple fitness exercises such as squats, lunges, dips, and jumping jacks. These prior art step benches can also be used outdoors, but transportation is often a problem.

Therefore, in embodiments of the invention, it is desirable to install a permanent step with a fixed horizontal platform that is not adjustable in height.

In other embodiments, it is desirable to install a balance board. Balance boards are primarily used for physical therapy purposes and are only used to a more limited degree for fitness purposes. A known balance board of this type consists of a horizontal platform which is usually circular in shape and is placed on top of a half-ball shaped object. The round part of the half-ball shaped object makes contact with the underlying ground surface and forces the user to find balance when standing on the board. These unstable elements are often used for exercises that increase the stability of certain parts of the body. In kinesitherapy, mini-trampolines are also often used for the same purposes. These freestanding balance boards and mini trampolines can also be used outdoors, but outdoor transportation is often a problem.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device is provided that can combine the step and balance table functionalities discussed above. In these embodiments, the bench comprises a step and balance board 80 for performing step and/or balance exercises, as shown in Figure 1b, Figure 3, and Figure 8. In these embodiments, a pair of brackets Adjacent support brackets have projecting extensions 6 and the step and balance board are attached to the projecting extensions. As illustrated in Figure 4a, the projecting extensions 6 connect to the first leg 3 of the support bracket 31. Preferably, the projecting extensions 6 of the two adjacent support brackets are supported by step supports 29 that connect to a respective floor support structure, as illustrated in Figure 4b and Figure 4c.

In other embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 8, for each support bracket of the pair of support brackets, two vibration dampers 81 are placed between the projecting extensions 6 and the step and balance board 80. The projecting extensions of the respective support brackets support the vibration dampers. In Figure 8, only half of the step and balance board 80 are shown. Vibration dampers 81 are interconnected with a deck frame 82 and one or more steps 80a, 80b are placed on top of the deck frame. . As shown in Figure 8, the step and balance board comprises, for example, two steps 80a, 80b to step on. In other embodiments, it may be a single board to step on. The two cylindrical vibration dampers 81 act as shock absorbers. These vibration dampeners provide an ideal balance between firmness and stability/instability and thus allow for a wide range of different fitness exercises.

In embodiments, the first support bracket 31, as illustrated in Figure 4a and Figure 4b, is equipped with an L-shaped armrest 7 that serves as a support for sitting and standing and also plays a role in various exercises. of physical conditioning. The 7 L-shaped armrest can also help strengthen the overall structure of the bench.

In embodiments, the bench according to the invention comprises a reinforcing plank 90 which extends parallel to said backrest 12 and is connected to each of the support brackets of the bench. As illustrated in Figure 1a to Figure 1d, the brace board 90 is connected to the second leg 4 of the support brackets. As schematically illustrated in Figures 1a, 1b and 1c, the reinforcement plank is spaced from an upper side of the backrest, preferably spaced at least 50 cm. In this way, the plank 90 not only provides additional rigidity to the bench but also allows various additional physical conditioning exercises such as pressing exercises and various body stability exercises to be performed.

In embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 1c, an information board 95 having a front panel and a rear panel is mounted between the third 33 and fourth 34 support brackets. The information panel also increases the strength of the bank.

The bench according to the invention, while providing multi-person seating functionality and at the same time providing multiple fitness functions, remains, due to its design according to the invention, very compact. The distance between two support brackets is about 55 cm, which makes a bench with four or six support brackets 1.65 meters and 2.75 meters long respectively. As illustrated in Figure 3, even with an embodiment using the step and balance board, the width W of the bench is about 1.3 meters. The height of the bench, determined by the dimension D2 of the longest support bracket, is in this example 1.9 m.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, which are illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and/or described above and that alternatives or modified embodiments in light of the appended claims. The use of the verb "comprehend", as well as the respective conjugations, does not exclude the presence of elements other than those indicated. The use of the article "a", "an" or "the" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Claims (15)

1. A bench (1) for outdoor use and suitable for at least two people to sit and suitable for physical conditioning exercises, said bench comprising a seat (11) for at least two people to sit on and a backrest (12) to support the back of at least two people, where said bench comprises • at least four support brackets (31,32, 33, 34) connecting said seat (11) with said backrest (12) and where for each of said support brackets a first leg (3) connects with said seat (11) and a first side (4a) of a second leg (4) connects with said backrest (12), and said second leg (4) has a second side (4b) opposite to said first side (4a), • at least four ground support structures (21,22, 23, 24) to anchor the bench to the ground surface, and where a series of a first (21), a second (22), a third (23 ) and a fourth (24) floor support structure are connected to a first (31), a second (32), a third (33) and a fourth (34) support bracket, respectively, characterized in that said bench comprises further • a first suspension cord (51) connected to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said first support bracket (31) and a second suspension cord (52) connected to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said second support bracket (32), and • a first armrest (41) and a second armrest (42) for performing physical conditioning exercises comprising, respectively, a first vertical-type handle (41a) and a second vertical-type handle (42a), and wherein said first armrest (41) connects to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said third support bracket (33) and where said second armrest (42) connects to the second side (4b) of the second leg (4) of said fourth support bracket (34). 2. A bench according to claim 1, wherein said first suspension rope (51) comprises • a first drop-shaped hand opening (58a) and/or a first drop-shaped foot opening (58b), and • a first soft cover (56) to protect a large part of the first suspension rope, and wherein said second suspension rope (52) comprises • a second drop-shaped hand opening (59a) and/or a second drop-shaped foot opening (59b), and • a second soft cover to protect much of the second suspension rope. 3. A bench according to any preceding claim comprising at least six support brackets (31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36) wherein a fifth support bracket (35) is adjacent to a sixth support bracket ( 36), and wherein said fifth support bracket (35) is adjacent to said fourth support bracket (34), and wherein said fifth (35) and said sixth support bracket (36) connect with a fifth (25 ) and a sixth (26) floor support structure, respectively, and wherein said bench (1) comprises a bar (60) for performing traction physical conditioning exercises, and wherein said bar (60) is connected between an extremity (5) of the second leg (4) of said fifth ( 35) support bracket and one end (5) of the second leg (4) of said sixth (36) support bracket. 4. A bench according to any of the preceding claims comprising a step and a balance board (80) for performing step and/or balance exercises and wherein two adjacent support brackets (31, 32) each comprise one projecting extension (6) and wherein said step and balance board (80) are coupled to each of the projecting extensions (6). A bench according to claim 4, wherein for each support bracket of said two adjacent support brackets two vibration dampers (81) are placed between said projecting extensions (6) and the step and balance board (80) . A bench according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said two adjacent support brackets with projecting extensions correspond to said first (31) and said second (32) support brackets. 7. A bench according to any of the preceding claims, wherein two adjacent support brackets comprise arm extension elements (2) configured to form a pair of armrests (71, 72) to facilitate sitting on the bench seat, and in where said armrests (71, 72) comprise vertical type handles (73, 74). 8. A bench according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein said fifth (35) and sixth (36) brackets support comprise arm extension elements (2) configured to form a pair of armrests (71, 72) to facilitate sitting on the bench seat, and where said armrests (71, 72) comprise vertical type handles (73, 74 ). A bench according to any of the preceding claims comprising a reinforcing plank (90) extending parallel to said backrest (12) and connecting to the second leg (4) of each of said plurality of support brackets ( 31, 32, 33, 34) and wherein said reinforcing plank (90) is spaced from an upper side of said backrest (12), preferably spaced at least 50 cm. A bench according to any preceding claim, wherein said bench comprises an information board (95) located between said third (33) and said fourth (34) support brackets, and wherein said information board (95) it comprises a front panel and a rear panel. 11. A bench according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second leg (4) of said first support bracket (31) and the second leg (4) of said second support bracket (32) each comprise a strengthening rib (9) to strengthen the support bracket. A bench according to any preceding claim, wherein said first armrest (41) and said second armrest (42) each comprise a support rib (41b) for reinforcing the armrest, and wherein said second leg (4) of said third support bracket (33) and the second leg (4) of said fourth support bracket (34) each comprises a strengthening rib (9), and where the support ribs of the armrests first ( 41) and second (42) are respectively connected to the strengthening ribs (9) of the third (33) and fourth (34) support bracket. 13. A bench according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second leg (4) of said fifth support bracket (35) and the second leg (4) of said sixth support bracket (36) each comprise a strengthening rib (9). 14. A bench according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein said first suspension rope (51) is attached to the strengthening rib (6) of the second leg (4) of the first support bracket (31) and wherein said second suspension cord (52) is attached to the strengthening rib (6) of the second leg (4) of the second support bracket (32). 15. A bench according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a dimension (D2) of the second leg (4) of said first (31) and said second (32) support bracket is configured according to a length of said suspension cords first and second and/or wherein a dimension (D2) of the second leg (4) of said second (32) and said third (33) support brackets is configured to allow fitness training with said first armrest (41 ) and said second (42) armrests by a target group of people.